Business Reimagined with Danny Iny | The Mirasee Podcast

Business Reimagined with Danny Iny takes you behind the scenes each week with thought and industry leaders to see how they are reimagining business in their realm. From marketers to authors, bloggers to software startups and beyond, Danny digs into the deeper ways of thinking that shape the future of how business is done.

Categories

The world has been reeling after the outcome of the US elections in November 2016. Even online entrepreneurs have seen the effects: post-election product launch results have ranged “ from disappointing to disastrous.”

Yet Danny Iny, CEO and founder of Mirasee, is optimistic that things are getting better. Why is that?

In today’s episode, he talks about the changes he’s seeing in the world of online business, and how entrepreneurs can ride on these trends—including those who are just starting out. Listen if you want to keep your ear to the ground and be ready for what’s coming.

Also:

The two biggest shifts in online business that have begun to take place and will continue to have an impact on how we do business and what results we get

What’s happening in the great information-education divide

Why 2017 is the best time to get started with creating and selling online courses, for those who haven’t done so yet

How small players can succeed, even if they don’t have the expertise, marketing savvy, technical ability, or money

Key Points:

At 4:02 -What types of businesses will do better, amidst all the uncertainty

At 9:10 - The biggest post-election risk for entrepreneurs

At 11:46 - How strategies and platforms go through cycles, and what’s coming up next for last year’s favorites

At 16:30 -How being value-driven is transitioning from a differentiating factor into a hygiene factor

At 21:36 -The challenge of scaling up online education

At 23:55 -Different ways online marketing is maturing and what they mean for solo- and small businesses

At 28:30 -Changes that are already happening in paid media that can be an obstacle to businesses that don’t have massive advertising budgets

At 31:06 -What the warm pyramid of traffic is and why it will experience a resurgence in 2017 and beyond

At 34:08 -How solo businesses are “growing up”

At 36:58 -How online product launches are transitioning from formulaic approaches to something more adaptive and resonant with audiences

At 41:43 -The two things that remain constant in business (that are not death and taxes)

Business owners want the competitive advantage. All too often, they resort to less-than-moral tactics to get there. But according to Yanik Silver, times are changing. People like you, who want to do good in the world and prosper from it, are about to eclipse those who just want the money.

How is this possible?

In today’s episode, Yanik Silver talks about how aligning the ‘true soul’ of your business will not only help you stay motivated, but will also give you a competitive advantage with the shifting mentality of consumers. Also:

How Yanik turned a $400,000 loss into a wildly successful business by finding his own alignment

How to properly choose a mission, message, and cause, and avoid the same embarrassment that KFC faced when selling fried chicken to support breast cancer research

How to tie in your life’s work to your business model, and to do so without feeling bad about it.

If you are ready to join the forward-thinking entrepreneurs who are making real change in the future of business, and doing so in a way that enriches everyone, then you don’t want to miss this episode with Yanik Silver.

KEY POINTS:

At 4:00 – Yanik talks about how he went from being nearly half a million dollars in debt to running a business that wasn’t just in line with his core beliefs, but also was highly successful.

At 6:00 – Danny and Yanik discuss how he made the new business sustainable as a membership model.

At 10:30 – Yanik explains exactly what an ‘evolved enterprise’ is, and why this type of company will have the competitive advantage in years to come.

At 13:00 – Yanik and Danny discuss how companies without a core mission are either going to evolve or fail. They talk about KFC’s doomed foray into the new landscape.

At 20:00 – Danny and Yanik talk about his new book, who it’s for, and what they can expect to get out of it that will usher in a new age of evolved enterprises.

You can learn every single tactic and strategy taught by every single authority in your space, whether it’s online entrepreneurship, parenting, or even underwater basket-weaving. But if you don’t have ‘right thinking’ mastered, you probably won’t be able to execute on a single one of them. In fact, the deck has been stacked against you from birth.

Are you doomed to failure?

Not at all! Today’s guest, David Bayer, has dedicated his life to the science behind right thinking. Whether you realize it or not, you are constantly attaching information to every experience you have. You can’t always control the experiences, but you CAN control the information you attach to them. Discover:

How to reframe your past experiences to free yourself to be successful today

How science and research directly support how your beliefs affect your results

Why a little self-help won’t work; you have to be ALL IN

If you’ve spent countless hours learning and growing mentally but still haven’t achieved the level of success you want, then you need to listen to this episode. It will change the way you think, literally.

Key Points:

At 2:00 – David explains how finding a book at an airport, along with working a 12 step program for his drug and alcohol abuse, sparked his desire to solve the problem every entrepreneur faces.

At 4:00 – There’s a science behind the stories you tell yourself and the beliefs you have, and David explains how re-framing can change the way you experience life. Especially the beliefs you don’t realize you have.

At 14:00 – David explains why you can’t just ‘dabble’ in self-improvement, and telling yourself to ‘just believe,’ isn’t enough. He talks about what it really takes to make right thinking work for you.

At 18:00 – David explains reframing, and how people are not even close to working at full capacity, all because of the stories they tell themselves.

At 23:00 – Danny and David discuss ‘The Secret,’ and why it failed to work for so many people. He provides real, actionable advice that goes beyond wanting a million dollars or a new house.

In terms of performance, did you know that you have a ‘genetic bucket?’ Everyone does, and we don’t get to choose how much they hold. Some are bigger than others, and you can have a huge effect on the size of your children’s genetic bucket, by virtue of the life YOU live.

So what’s a genetic bucket?

According to Dr. Isaac Jones, your genetic bucket is how much toxicity you can hold in your body. Once the bucket overflows, you begin to feel tired and distracted. You have headaches and pain in your body. In short, an overflowing bucket can lead to poor performance.

In this episode, discover why you shouldn’t pass tiredness and headaches off as a hazard of being a busy entrepreneur. Also:

Isaac reveals his own painful past and the transition from special education student to the top of his class and nearly qualifying for the Olympics.

Find out what the dirty dozen and clean fifteen are, and how you can eat better, even on a budget.

Get clear, easy-to-understand steps and explanations of how to improve your performance.

Yes, entrepreneurs and professions lead demanding lives, but that doesn’t mean you have to feel horrible while doing it. Don’t miss this episode with Dr. Isaac Jones; his passion for the performance will leave you feeling inspired.

KEY POINTS:

At 1:30 – Find out the soul-crushing label doctors gave a young Isaac that almost kept him from being the success he is today.

At 3:40 – Isaac gets to the heart of what causes poor performance in the human body, and what causes it. If you’re thinking of buying a new computer, you’ll want to hear this.

At 10:00 – Isaac gives some practical, easy to implement steps for busy entrepreneurs that can help mitigate the toxins all around them, and inside their bodies.

At 12:00 – Danny and Isaac discuss the concept of the ‘genetic bucket,’ and the lifestyles many adults are living and teaching their children.

At 21:00 – Isaac take a little extra time to explain in simple terms what micronutrients are, as well as easy ways to increase your own intake to help your performance soar.

When the world slams a door in your face, do you give up, or do you build your OWN door? Today’s guest, Louie La Vella, is a carpenter-type entrepreneur. Every time a door closed for him, he built another. He’s spent a lifetime in the entertainment industry, and now focuses on creating amazing events that give a one-of-a-kind experience.

What’s holding YOU back from putting on an event, or being a rockstar speaker at someone else’s event? Discover:

How Louie broke into radio and television after he was turned down

What makes an event successful in a competitive market

What to do when your potential clients don’t want your help but desperately need it

If you’re tired of doors being slammed in your face as an entrepreneur, you don’t want to miss this episode. Build your own doors and craft amazing experiences.

KEY POINTS:

At 3:00 – Louie talks about being rejected by his ideal clients, and pivoting to even greater success.

At 5:00 – Danny and Louie talk about event success in terms of crafting experience, and why it matters in a competitive environment.

At 9:00 – Louie explains how a rebrand works for an older or unpopular event, and the steps to take to bring it back to life.

At 12:00 – Louie addresses how to be a compelling presenter at other people’s events.

At 16:00 – Louie wraps up with his philosophy on entrepreneurship and how it’s made him an incredible success.

When you think of the term strategic philanthropy, one company comes to mind: Tom’s Shoes. You’d be hard pressed to find someone who hasn’t heard of them. For every pair of shoes someone buys from them, they send another pair to a developing country. That strategy, do good to make money, has made them incredibly successful.

Today’s guest is Tom Matzen, and in this episode, he explains exactly what strategic philanthropy is, how your customers will thank you for raising prices, and a simple formula any company, from start up to corporation, can use to do good and make more money – ethically.

At 3:00 – Tom describes the difference between a small business owner and an entrepreneur.

At 8:00 – It was a poor review from a customer Tom helped to increase her sales by 50% that finally made him realize that he wasn’t truly meeting all of his clients’ needs.

At 12:00 – Tom dives into what strategic philanthropy is, and how to pick a great cause to support that makes sense for you and your customer.

At 20:00 – Tom describes the formula any company can use to do good and make more money in an ethical and sustainable way.

At 26:00 – Tom shares his vision of how it’s up to business to save the world, not government.

At 33:00 – Tom explains how a company can use a simple formula to ensure they are sustainable as they work toward their good cause.

Find and Define Your Nich

In most of business history, customer service was viewed as a necessary evil that didn’t have a lot of repercussions if it was done poorly, or not at all. Realistically, how many people could a single person tell about their experience with you? Oh, how times have changed.

In the world of the internet, customer service has become a spectator sport, according to today’s guest, Jay Baer, author of Hug Your Haters. All your interactions are playing out on the social media stage, and this can work for you or against you. And if you take advantage of it, the good it can do will scale so much that your happy customers will do your marketing FOR you.

Learn how marketing and customer service are being disrupted in the say way, and what to do about it.

The surprising place to adjust your budget for social media presence, even as a small business.

How catering to your most annoying customers pays off.

Whether or not ‘the customer is always right’ is the truth, and the power of over-informing.

Key Points:

At 2:00 – Jay explains how customer service is being disrupted in the same way marketing has been, and the ways entrepreneurs have had to change their thinking about it. He also discusses the practicality of small businesses entering the social media stage.

At 9:00 – Jay breaks down the numbers when it comes to customer complaints going unanswered, and where the majority of those complaints are found. It’s a huge missed opportunity for businesses.

At 12:00 – There are always customers who are unreasonable, and Jay gets to the heart of the message in his book that explains how to deal with customers like that, and whether it’s worth your time or not.

At 19:00 – Jay talks about the concept of ‘strategic ignorance,’ how it hurts businesses, and when it’s okay not to respond to customers. There’s also a surprising place you can adjust your budget to take on the complaints you should be addressing.

At 26:00 – There’s an often-missed psychological impact on the people who answer customer complaints, especially when it’s the business owner. Jay talks about how to deal with it, and his vision for customer service in the future.

Whale vomit is gross. But being unique, relevant, and scarce isn’t. In fact, to maximize profits, those are the three things you need. How do whale vomit and business tie together? Today’s guest, Kevin Dubrosky, reveals the secret behind success in business, and the key is to be like whale vomit: unique, relevant, and scarce.

If you want to know why ‘whale vomit,’ you’ll just have to hear Kevin’s story.

Discover:

Why the richest of the rich douse themselves with whale vomit

The 3 step verification that will measure your success potential

How Blackberry could have taken Apple down but didn’t

Keen insights on positioning your business, based on real life examples

If you want to learn how to be like whale vomit… or rather, to be unique, relevant, and scarce, then you don’t want to miss this episode.

KEY POINTS:

At 6:00 – Kevin reveals the story of how whale vomit inspired his new book.

At 11:00 – Kevin explains how to find your uniqueness, or create it, based on 2 key factors: experience and offer.

At 13:30 – Dominoes has cornered the 30 minutes or less market; Kevin talks about why that works for them, regardless of the quality of their pizza.

At 16:30 – Kevin shares the story of how he tried to help Blackberry before their downward spiral, and the fatal mistake they made that could have been avoided.

At 20:00 – Danny and Kevin discuss the ridiculous price of his first edition book, and how you can get the 2nd version for much less, to help YOU become whale vomit.

An entrepreneur isn’t an entrepreneur no matter how many businesses they try to build or how many startups they have a hand in. Entrepreneurs are built, too, and it’s a step too often skipped.

Today’s guest, Ash Maurya, founder of LeanStack, knows all about entrepreneurship. He also knows from personal experience what happens when you don’t build that skillset first. He’ll also be the first to tell you that the tools available to help you become a better entrepreneur aren’t readily available, especially when it comes to ideas and business plans. Discover:

The revolutionary way to ‘pilot’ a book and become a thought leader

How to tell when an idea will work and when it won’t

Where great business ideas come from

The alterative to a business plan that works like LEGOs

If you’re interested in a simple, flexible way to build a business, or how to know when you’ve got an idea worth pursuing, you don’t want to miss this episode.

KEY POINTS:

At 4:00 – How to write a book using the lean startup method, and make yourself a thought leader in the process.

At 8:00 – Ash describes how his lean startup method goes a step further than its predecessors, and how it simplifies the process.

At 12:30 – Ash explains why the LeanCanvas method is something anyone can do; you don’t have to be a software designer like he is to use it.

At 17:00 – There’s lean startups, running lean, and now, Ash has a new book called Scaling Lean. Find out what that means for growing businesses.

At 21:00 – Ash explains why his passion lies in lean startups, and how he strives to build entrepreneurs instead of businesses.

Stop. Take a breath. What are you grateful for, right now? What brings you happiness?

Can’t think of anything more meaningful than ‘my family,’ or ‘I’m alive?’

You’re not trying hard enough, according to UJ Ramdas, co-creator of the Five Minute Journal phenomenon. You’ve probably already heard of the Five Minute Journal. But you might not have heard or considered how you can take the happiness and gratitude you cultivate in the journal and apply it to productivity and successful businesses. Discover:

The exact questions you’ll find within the pages of the Journal and how they’re designed to hack your brain

What you should be FEELING when you think about what you’re grateful for

Adaptations to the Five Minute Journal that make it your own

How productivity and happiness scale with being aligned with your values

Want to create the kind of happiness that scales? Don’t miss this episode of Business Reimagined.

KEY POINTS

At 4:00 – UJ talks about what he calls the ‘toothbrush for your mind,’ and explains how to live a happier and more engaged life.

At 9:00 – UJ turns the tables on Danny, asking several piercing questions about Danny’s life and happiness.

At 15:00 – Danny and UJ discuss different ways people use the 5 Minute Journal, including discussing it with loved ones and logging emotions, to supercharge the effectiveness.

At 21:00 – UJ explains the new product his company has produced, aimed at aligning values and business to heighten productivity, and make it scale with happiness.

At 25:00 – UJ reveals how happiness doesn’t scale with money, and he shares his thoughts on how it DOES scale.

Ever been to McDonald’s? What if I told you there were masters of customer experience? You’d probably laugh me through those golden arches. But Joey Coleman, today’s guest on Business Reimagined, believes they’re doing something very right.

Only one thing, though: their French fries. Admit it. You’ve at least heard about people’s obsession with the fried feast of potatoes.

It’s not about the customer service you receive. It’s about the experience you have at McDonald’s that sets it apart from the rest. So how can you take this strategy and apply it to the real world of getting customers and keeping them? Joey Coleman discusses:

How to walk YOUR customers through the first 100 days of the relationship

The emotional bond you create with them that makes them rabid fans

How to get people to actually USE your product

Ways to connect AFTER the sale that will make a world of difference to your customers

If you want to create a customer experience your competitors and peers can’t touch, then you don’t want to miss this episode with Joey Coleman.

KEY POINTS:

At 5:00 – Joey explains in three minutes what the first 100 days process is and how to get customer relationships right.

At 10:00 – A lot of businesses drop the ball, and Joey talks about the most common mistakes they make.

At 13:00 – Joey explains how the phases he described work in practice and process for many types of businesses.

At 18:00 – Joey addresses how to provide enough support to the variety of customers you will have without being too detailed for some, and not giving enough to others.

At 20:00 – Some customers buy, but never USE the product, which means less good reviews for a business owner. Joey explains the unusual way he encourages customers to use the product after the sale.

I’m sure you’ve heard of the shoe company, Zappos, and their amazing workplace culture. They have a popcorn machine in the lobby. Does that mean you should get a popcorn machine, too?

Is creating culture really that simple?

Yes and no, according to the man who helped Zappos pioneer their corporate culture training, Robert Richman. Today, he talks about what makes a great company culture, not JUST for existing companies, but those that are a single person scaling up. Discover:

The experience attendees to the Zappos training get from the minute they walk in the door

Why culture is more about belief that specific actions

The two things you need to establish to make a great culture

AND, how to create a culture for yourself as a solopreneur

Whether you’re an established entrepreneur or one who’s about to start scaling, culture is something you need to latch onto now. Don’t miss this episode!

KEY POINTS:

At 7:00 – Culture is about way more than a notebook of tactics, and Robert talks about ‘game changers’ as simple as a popcorn machine and as sweeping as company meetings.

At 12:00 – Robert gives 2 tips for instant change in your company, even (and especially) if you’re a solopreneur.

At 14:00 – Danny and Robert address the issue of firing people who seem hard to replace, and the benefit of getting rid of what doesn’t work at a company, even people.

At 16:00 – Robert calls out managers who are habitually late for meetings, and explains how that kills culture in a company.

At 22:00 – Robert goes into detail about how new entrepreneurs can and should create culture from day one, and why it can be a challenge for distributed companies.

Entrepreneurs come in all shapes and sizes. You’ve got those who were born to it and others who had incredible mentors. The stars seemed to align for them. Then there are some who have to fight and hustle for every bit of ground they gain. It feels like no one cares about their dreams or passions, and no one is there to help or guide them.

Are YOU a ‘foster child’ of the entrepreneurial world?

Today’s guest, Anthony Trucks, was a REAL foster child, and he defied the statistics. Not only did he become a NFL football player, but he also went on to become a successful entrepreneur. He teaches other people to ‘trust their hustle,’ and how to get through the loneliness and hardships they face when stepping into the entrepreneurial ring. Discover:

The heart-wrenching experience Anthony had that make him feel unloved and unwanted for most of his childhood.

The 5 foundational bases you need to keep you stable as you go after your dreams.

The revealing question Anthony asks people that helps them get their priorities straight.

If you’ve ever felt alone in the entrepreneurial world, maybe even abused by people who were supposed to help you, you need to hear this episode. Anthony brings an amazing perspective to people with big dreams who may not have all the ‘right resources’ to accomplish them.

KEY POINTS:

At 5:00 – The statistics regarding foster children are shocking, and Anthony shares what his life WOULD have looked like if he followed the trend.

At 9:00 – As a foster child and NFL player, you might wonder what lessons you could learn from Anthony, but he explains why his own adversity allows him to teach anyone.

At 13:00 – Danny and Anthony talk about motivation, blind spots, and how a women’s Dove study reveals a deeper truth about how we view ourselves.

At 16:30 – Anthony reveals the one question he asks people that can shift their perspective entirely.

At 19:00 – Anthony explains the ways he can tell when people aren’t being honest with themselves, and how he breaks through it.

For any business, profit is like oxygen. You can’t live long without it. It's also the key to building real wealth. If your accountant doesn't understand that, he could have you spending a dollar to save 40 cents. What kind of accounting is that?

The kind that will strangle your company’s profitability and growth.

Today’s guest, Greg Crabtree, is a new type of accountant. After working with hundreds of entrepreneurs, he provides his clients with something that few other CPA’s even bother with: sweeping insight into the numbers businesses can APPLY to make business decisions. This shouldn’t be revolutionary, but in today’s financially illiterate world, it is. Discover:

The simple numbers successful entrepreneurs use to make decisions that accountants don’t even consider

Why writing a big check to the IRS means you’re creating wealth

Why 10% is the new ‘break even’ businesses should be aiming for

The app to help you make your business accounting simple

If your accountant is AFRAID of you making a profit, you NEED to hear this episode with Greg Crabtree, CPA.

KEY POINTS:

At 3:30 – Greg explains why it’s a terrible idea to spend away your profits at the end of the year to ‘save’ on taxes.

At 7:00 – Danny and Greg discuss behavioral economics and how Greg uses it to help entrepreneurs be more profitable.

At 13:00 – Greg shares the numbers he looks at every day, every week, and annually. Businesses can follow this same mentality to be more aware of how they’re doing.

At 20:00 – Danny and Greg discuss how the framework can help seasonal and cyclical businesses manage their accounting.

At 24:00 – Greg talks about the new app that will allow you to bucket your accounting data and create ‘simple numbers’ reports to help you make business decisions.

Having a ‘satisfied’ customer isn’t enough these days. How many people switch phone and TV plans every year or two to get the better deal, regardless of how satisfied they are? What you need to do is create ‘lifers,’ and one of the best ways to do that is through surveys.

Yes, I said surveys. But just ‘asking’ isn’t enough.

Today’s guest, Dr. Matt Champagne, is an industrial organizational psychologist. He has been helping businesses create better surveys for over a decade. And according to him, most of us have been doing it very wrong. Discover:

The one thing you can do to make your surveys matter to customers

How to ask the right questions to get the answers you actually need

3 of the biggest mistakes businesses make when creating surveys

Why the ‘autopsy approach’ should be left for dead

If you’re a business owner who wants to create life-long fans instead of satisfied customers, you don’t want to miss this episode with Matt Champagne, Ph. D.

KEY POINTS

At 4:00 – Matt talks about what the ‘autopsy approach’ is, and the biggest mistakes businesses make when creating surveys.

At 8:00 – Matt explains his principles of psychology, and shows how social media would fail if we treated it like we treat our surveys.

At 11:00 – According to Matt, surveys are key to earning lifelong customers, and he explains the why and how. He also explains why ‘asking’ is the complete wrong approach.

At 18:00 – Matt explains why he doesn’t use the ‘satisfied customer’ approach, and the surprising way to make your customers happy through surveys.

At 22:00 – Matt sums up what makes a great survey, and the short list of what you need to do to create it.

We’ve got a lot of phrases that capture the essence of ego. We say ‘she’s got a big head,’ or ‘he thinks the world revolves around him.’ There’s my personal favorite, one I often heard my grandfather say, ‘he’s getting too big for his britches.’

But as entrepreneurs, don’t we need ego to do the improbable, or is confidence enough?

Today’s guest, Ryan Holiday, admits to struggling with ego, and according to him, that’s exactly why he wrote his latest book, Ego is the Enemy. In this episode you’ll discover:

The heart wrenching story of an author who committed suicide after a book rejection, only to have it go on to win the Pulitzer Prize posthumously

The distinction between ego and confidence

Why it’s impossible to be ego-less and what humility REALLY means

Why turning your life into a story can destroy your future

Whether you struggle with ego or pride yourself on your humility, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

KEY POINTS

At 3:50 – Ryan explains why humility doesn’t always get you want you want, and where your focus should be instead.

At 12:00 – Danny and Ryan discuss celebrating personal wins without allowing yourself to be caught up in your own greatness.

At 16:00 – Ryan explains the difference between ego and confidence, and why you shouldn’t take credit for things that helped you succeed.

At 20:00 – Ryan gives his thoughts on the whole idea of ‘fake it till you make it,’ and how it feeds the ego in a very unhealthy way.

At 23:00 – Danny and Ryan discuss the ‘narrative fallacy’ in regards to the story you tell yourself and others about your life, and how it can be destructive to your success.

You’ve heard of the Law of Attraction, and it’s all about the mindset. But how often have YOU heard of someone wishing good things into his life successfully? Anyone who claims they have is probably pulling your leg. Here’s the truth: mindset is only part of it.

There are 2 other important components that make the Law of Attraction really attract success into your life!

Today’s guest, John Assaraf, is founder and CEO of NeuroGym, and a best-selling author who has appeared on most major TV programs like Larry King Live, was featured in ‘The Secret’ documentary. John and Danny discuss the two things that must follow the right mindset if you want to succeed. Also, discover:

John’s shocking start in life that almost left him dead

The 3 things you need to have to make the Law of Attraction work

The strange way our brains work, and how to use them differently

What causes Harvard grads to fail at life and success

John’s life went from a one-way ticket to jail to a juggernaut of success based on what he’s sharing on today’s episode of Business Reimagined. Before you dismiss the power of positive thought, see what John has to say about it.

Key Points:

At 3:00 – John talks about ‘true north,’ and how he lets this simple concept guide his life and his decisions.

At 9:00 – There are a lot of mental training, positive thinking gurus, etc., and John explains what they leave out, and why NeuroGym is very different.

At 13:00 – John explains how his process is more like using an owner’s manual to the most powerful organ we have, our brain.

At 17:00 – John explains the difference between fear of actual things versus fear of the feelings associated with them, and how to break the cycle for things like public speaking.

At 20:00 – There is a time when fear is acceptable, and there’s a time it isn’t. John explains the distinction that will change the way you look at what scares you.

Giftology: it’s a thing. Believe it or not, there is a science behind great gifting. Not only will giftology ensure the recipient has their metaphorical socks knocked off, but also that they will think warm, fuzzy thoughts about you for years to come.

Do you know what an ‘artifact’ gift is?

If not, and you want to learn the science of gifting, then you don’t want to miss today’s episode of Business Reimagined with John Ruhlin, author of Giftology. You’ll learn:

Why you should give a gift that’s NOT for the recepient

Perfect timing for maximum gifting impact

Whether or not gifts replace face-to-face meetings

A counter-intuitive approach to logo marketing

John is a brilliant gift-giver who can make every thoughtful dollar you spend worth a hundred of your competition’s mindless dollars. Give smarter, not harder.

Key Points

At 2:00 – John tells the touching story of a man who made millions, but he did it by being the most generous person John ever met.

At 4:00 – Never, NEVER give gifts at certain times of the year. John reveals what holidays to avoid, and the odd times of year that gift-giving has its maximum effect. He also explains why gifts shouldn’t necessarily be given to the recipient.

At 7:00 – John talks about why expensive gifts aren’t always best. He describes some other types of gifts that have more impact.

At 13:00 – Danny and John discuss what type of ROI you can expect on the gifts you give, both to clients and prospective customers.

At 17:00 – John explains why it’s NOT the thought that counts, and getting help with gift-giving doesn’t make that gift thoughtless.

This is a touchy subject. As thought leaders and entrepreneurs, your ideas are precious. They are what make you unique, and give you the edge over your competition. The last thing you want is for your team members to leave and take your ideas to your competition.

Or is it?

Today’s guest, David Burkus, has written a book that challenges this commonly held fear. In Under New Management, he explains how the cross pollination of ideas is what propagates real growth and change in an industry.

He also thinks that ideas are mostly meaningless. What matters is the ability to execute them. Plus:

Commonalities among successful entrepreneurs, based on David’s research in social sciences

How your employees are more motivated and willing to bring their creativity to work when there aren’t restrictive NDAs and non-competes

The real life, Silicon Valley example of how an industry benefits from open doors for employees and sharing of ideas

If you’re a forward-thinker who believes that collaboration is more meaningful than competition, you don’t want to miss this episode.

KEY POINTS:

At 3:00 – David explains what his new book, Under New Management, is really about. He offers a unique perspective on knowing what entrepreneurs do to be successful, using social science.

At 6:00 – David discusses some of the common things he sees among entrepreneurs who have built successful businesses

At 9:00 – Danny and David discuss how NDA’s, non-disclosure agreements, are often abused. As a result, entire industries are stunted, and employees are less motivated to bring creative thought and originality to their work.

At 13:00 – David explains how the lack of ownership of your own work can affect your company’s success, and why it’s okay for people to sidestep from one organization to another freely.

At 20:00 – Danny and David discuss Mirasee as a case study for problems with implementing the changes David recommends, and how other companies can approach it.

Almost everyone loves pizza. Almost no one loves policy, especially employees. If you’re planning to grow a business, it pays to know in advance how your policies will affect the way your employees work for you, because that will affect your success. Better yet, don’t bother with policies at all.

But are you ready to put your policy book in the company shredder?

Today’s guest, Nick Sarillo, is the founder and CEO of Nick’s Pizza and Pub, a restaurant that boasts a turnover rate that is 125% lower than the industry standard, and Nick credits his management style and lack of restrictive policies for earning his employees’ overwhelming support… PLUS:

The amazing story of Nick’s big failure, and the unexpected way he went against the ‘smart people in the room’ to turn it around

How policy keeps you from being an effective leader

Giving employees ultimate freedom while still making the right choices

The all-or-nothing test to make sure everyone is on board with you

This episode isn’t just for companies with large teams. If you’re an entrepreneur looking to grow your business, you NEED to implement Nick’s management style with your first employee – all the way to your 50th.

KEY POINTS:

At 5:00 – Nick describes the tearful moment he sent the email that would mark the end of his restaurant empire, and the amazing response he got that saved it.

At 11:00 – Nick explains how it wasn’t pity that saved his business; it was the company culture he had went to great pains to design and implement, one FREE of policy.

At 13:00 – Nick tosses the policy book out the window and explains how to handle team conflicts without becoming the company police.

At 17:00 – Danny and Nick discuss how existing companies can use his system to transition existing policy-centric cultures to those that offer employees more freedom to make good decisions.

At 22:00 – Nick discusses ‘culture,’ and how the loudest voice in the room usually defines it. He also explains how to shift it away from negativity.

What if you could write a book without writing it? We’re not talking about ghost writing or word mills. This book would be your voice, your expertise, and exactly what you would have written if you had the time to sit down and write it.

Think it’s too good to be true?

Today’s guest, Tucker Max, has developed a process he calls Book In A Box, and he’s had incredible success helping busy entrepreneurs and thought leaders write books. While the name Book In A Box might sound like a gimmick, his process is far from it. Tucker also talks about:

The 3 questions you should ask yourself before you write a book or create a product

The exact process for writing a book without writing it

Where to get your *FREE* copy of the Book In A Box method if you prefer to do-it-yourself, but want to take advantage of the process

If you’ve ever wanted to write a book but didn’t know where to start, or you want to write a book without writing it to solidify your authority in your field, you don’t want to miss this episode.

Key Points:

At 4:00 – Tucker talks about some of the greatest thinkers we still refer to today, and how they didn’t write any of it down themselves.

At 8:00 – Danny and Tucker discuss the major differences between the Book In A Box method and traditional ghostwriting.

At 13:00 – Tucker explains the critical difference between thinking and writing, and what that means for people who have enough knowledge to fill a book, but might lack the time to write it themselves.

At 19:00 – Tucker gives his three step process for positioning yourself and your business, so that you achieve the outcomes you want with your book.

At 24:00 – Danny and Tucker discuss the stigma around writing without writing, and why that skepticism is unfounded.

Have you ever had that ‘perfect day’ you wish you could replicate over and over again? You were firing on all cylinders, knocking out tasks, and every single one of them brought you a step closer to your big life goals?

How would you like every day to be a perfect day?

Today’s guest, Craig Ballantyne, author of Perfect Day, can help you do just that. In fact, he says that it’s structure that leads to ultimate freedom, and he’s got a three step structure to help you. Plus:

How to apply control, coping, and concentrations to the three parts of the day

Understanding ‘magic time,’ and upping productivity exponentially

Learning to create structure even when you’re juggling a bunch of different things

How to beat the treadmill other productivity books put you on that will NEVER bring you to the outcome you want for your life.

Make every day a perfect day, and start YOURS today with this episode of Business Reimagined with Danny Iny and guest Craig Ballantyne.

Key Points:

At 3:00 – Craig explains what ‘magic time’ is, how to figure out when yours is, and how to schedule your day around it. He also explains how to break out of ‘OCD loops.’

At 11:00 – Craig explains how to deal with having no control over the structure of your day, and what to do when your magic time is interrupted.

At 13:00 – There’s an important distinction between what some people consider the perfect day and what Craig is actually talking about; is it walking on the beach on vacation? Not according to Craig.

At 15:00 – Craig explains how ‘control, cope, and concentrate’ relate to the different parts of the day: morning, daytime, and evening, and the mindset around it that will change the way you do things.

At 23:00 – We already live by a lot of rules and structure we didn’t even know we have; Craig explains how to hack that mentality to make it work FOR you instead of against you.

What's the difference between persuasion and manipulation? Is persuasion just a nicer way to manipulate someone?

According to Dave Lakhani, persuasion expert, they are related, but with two huge differences. Can you guess what they are?

On today's Business Reimagined, Dave takes us through his early life of being manipulated by an outlier religious cult, and the latter part of his life teaching his clients to use persuasion ethically. He discusses intent and outcome of persuasion. Plus:

How anyone can develop charisma and persuade others

The key differences between persuasion and manipulation

Social testing and some tactical approaches to persuade your audience

The simplest way to get someone to like you

Everyone can use ethical persuasion to get ahead in marketing, sales, or business in general. And how many times in your personal life have you wanted to get someone on your side of the fence? Don't miss today's episode with Dave Lakhani on the Art of Persuasion.

Key Points:

At 6:00 – Dave explains how persuasion is both harder and more simple than hypnotizing someone, and his definition of persuasion. He picks apart exactly how you can use heuristics to make a great first impression.

At 11:00 – There is a dark side to persuasion, and it’s called manipulation. Dave explains the intent of manipulators and what happens to them as a result of their disregard for others.

At 14:00 – Dave talks about what it’s like getting ‘caught’ testing new methods of persuasion, since everyone who knows him knows he’s a persuasion expert.

At 17:00 – You can get better at persuasion and develop a personality of charisma, and Dave explains how you can do it without being slimy.

At 23:00 – Dave wraps up with his thoughts on how you can become a ‘black belt’ at persuasion techniques, get what you want out of life, and do it where you and those you are involved with end up winning.

Engagement was a hot topic a few years ago, and it remains to be to this day...

...but most people are doing it wrong.

There's one simple thing to remember when you're talking about engaging with your audience, and it hasn't changed since the beginning of the Internet.

Want to find out the secret to real engagement?

Today, our own Danny Iny, founder and CEO of Mirasee and author of Engagement from Scratch!, talks about how engagement has changed over the years, and the very important way it's remained the same as when he wrote the book on it.

Learn the difference between 'list' and 'audience'

Real numbers revealed on how much money you should be making per subscriber

Find out whether guest posting is still a valid tactic

Whether success in today's online world is worth the effort you need to put into it

If you've got an audience online or are considering building one, you don't want to miss this high-level discussion of engagement with Danny Iny and special guest host, Lou D'Alo, who is Mirasee's Education Team Lead.

Key Points:

At 4:00 – Danny explains very succinctly what an audience really is compared to the common term ‘list.’ That simple change in mindset will bring you much closer to those you serve.

At 8:00 – Danny discusses his first book, Engagement from Scratch!, and how it’s held up over the years. You might be surprised to hear his response.

At 14:00 – Danny talks about influencers like Seth Godin and Tim Ferris, and how content creation is changing. If you’re creating content these days, you don’t want to miss these insights.

At 16:00 – Who is audience building really for? Danny talks about who it will really help, and the business types that shouldn’t bother with it.

At 20:00 – Danny debunks the myth that audience building is a ‘cult of personality,’ and instead offers up what audience building really is..

When was the last time you sat down and had a face-to-face withone of your customers? Would you consider going to a fan’s home andhaving a chat with him to get to know him better?

To many entrepreneurs, it’s a very foreign idea, but can youimagine the power of sharing a drink with your customer ‘avatar’instead of looking at a breakdown of who you think he is, typed outon a computer screen?

Today’s guest, Martin Lindstrom, is – and has been – a thoughtleader in marketing since the beginning of the internet, and he’sproposing a transformation of what we do as entrepreneurs intoday’s world of big data.

Find out what LEGO did when they were failing that has made themthe largest toy company in the world

Learn he 1 question Martin asks first when sitting down with anew client

Understand when to use big data versus small data

Hear Martin’s thoughts on entrepreneurs who are out of touchwith their customers

After having spent time in 2,000 consumers’ home across 77countries in the past decade, Martin has a very unique perspectiveon marketing you won’t find anywhere else. If you want to learn thepower of small data, then you don’t want to miss this episode ofBusiness Reimagined.

Key Points:

At 4:00 – Martin reveals the first question he asks hisclients in regard to their customers, and what he forces them todo.

At 9:00 – Martin gets to the heart of why there is such adivide between companies and their customers, and reveals theshocking way that Lego turned their nosedive around by talking to a11 year old kid.

At 13:00 – There’s one obvious problem with big data, andMartin explains what it is. He talks about how to get around theproblem by getting personal.

At 23:00 – Martin talks about the importance of instinctwhen using small data and being a successful entrepreneur.

At 28:00 – Having spent time in over 2,000 consumers’homes, Martin shares how you can do it on a scale that works foryou.